Hi-Stone Social – Picky Girl (Single Review)

Today’s review features Hi-Stone Social and their new single “Picky Girl.”

Hi-Stone Social is a studio music project centered on original rock, pop, folk rock, blues and spoken word, all delivered with a retro feel. All songs written by Don Kushon. The core band consists of Kushon on lead vocals and guitar, Paul Shannon on lead guitar, Frank Innamorato on drums and JT on bass.

Other session musicians include Joe Paglia on keyboard. The album was co-produced by Mark J Montoro and Kushon. It was recorded and engineered by Montoro at Philly JAM Recording in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and mastered by Pete Humphreys at Masterwork. Artwork was designed by Patrick King.

Picky Girl explores the darker side of love. Emotions tangled up with power, control, obsession and fear are the subject matter. Kushon’s vocals are influenced by growing up in the foothills of Appalachia and then relocating to the deeply layered musical ecosystem of Philadelphia.

So let’s have a listen …

The song starts with a clever guitar riff, followed by an extended two-note vamp. The vocals here sound like Mick Jagger or maybe Keith Richards. The band is tight. The drums and bass could be louder in the mix. The song is pretty simple, very straightforward. “Such a picky girl” over the two-note shuffle riff. At 2:51, the whole band drops out, other than the bass and drums. Soon, a lead guitar solo takes off. Edgy, but simple riffs. Not particularly played clean. Eventually, the verse riff takes over with the vocals, into the pre-chorus, and back to the “such a picky girl” chorus. Loving the horns at the end of the song. Should have been more horns throughout the song, imo.

SCORE/Good to Excellent: Hi-Stone Social is back with their new single “Picky Girl.” The song is a simple variation on the blues with a catchy, repeating guitar riff and horns at the end of the song. Not sure why the horns only enter the fray at the end of the song, but they make the song for me. It’s a fun little song, be sure to give it a listen. Much love, Beth

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